Iroquois School District Band Director Christopher Wise has been named Band Director of the Month for November.
He was nominated by Alyssa Krochalis, who said, “Mr. Wise has shown dedication to my band ever since he became director in 2021. He has introduced several opportunities to us including State and Regional band and drum corps. My band director has inspired me to do drum corps and go on to college to become a music therapist.”
As Band Director, Mr. Wise teaches 4th through12th grade in Erie, Penn. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Mercyhurst University. Mr. Wise also studied jazz trumpet performance at Cleveland State University and the Florida State University, where he was a teaching assistant in the areas of musicianship, ear training and jazz trumpet. He has had the privilege of performing around the world as a lead trumpeter and soloist with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, as well as many tours around the country with a traditional circus band and world championship winning drum and bugle corps Phantom Regiment. Prior to his appointment at Iroquois,
Mr. Wise taught general music and band in Sedona Arizona as well as running a full private lesson studio in Oklahoma City, OK. He brings his real-life performance experience into his music classroom and aims to help students realize and reach their potential, not only in music, but in life.